RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate RC2T HBO shock

Coming alongside the overhauled Lyrik and ZEB forks, as well as the Vivid Air shock, RockShox’s trail/enduro pointed Super Deluxe has received a ground-up redesign. With that, it introduces fresh tech and a wealth of adjustability, both of which result in a shock that really does blend the best of coil and air-sprung options.

RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate RC2T HBO – Technical details

As with the rest of its current suspension range, there’s flipping loads going on under the hood of the Super Deluxe, but perhaps the most important is the new LinearXL air spring. Like the forks, LinearXL is a larger-volume air spring that RockShox says produces a consistent, predictable ride feel. It’s tuneable, too, but rather than using bottomless tokens that we’ve seen on shocks prior, it uses o-ring-type volume spacers, found by unwinding the airspring’s cover after releasing the pressure, of course.

The LinearXL spring is then complemented by a mechanical bottom-out system with a ‘jounce’ bottom-out bumper. This is paired with the HBO, or Hydraulic Bottom Out adjustment that we’ve seen on shocks prior. It’s a neat system that activates during the shock’s final 20% of its travel, utilising a needle that progressively blocks the flow of oil inside the damper, thus increasing progression through the latter portion of the stroke. The idea here is to deliver adjustable bottom-out resistance, but without affecting end-stroke traction.

Internally, there’s a new base valve that reduces IFP (Internal Floating Piston) forces by 40% in a bid to up the shock’s sensitivity. The main piston’s compression tune is then shaped to pair well with the brand’s latest range of suspension forks and the Charger 3.2 damper. RockShox says that this has been done with a focus on providing mid-stroke support.

Damping is then handled thanks to a new RC2T damper. As always from RockShox, it promises no cross-talk between its high and low-speed compression circuits, so a turn of low-speed compression shouldn’t affect your high-speed compression setting.

A big (but small, physically) improvement is that RockShox has done away with the rebound adjustment of old. No longer is it a large dial that rotates around the upper of the shock. Now, it is its own little dial. Yep, it’s indexed and sorted with a bunch of markings to make figuring out where the dial is set in its adjustment range as easy as possible. That rebound knob is also removable, and it can be used to adjust the high-speed compression dial. Nice.

Other cool features are that the shock can accommodate higher pressures to suit a wider spectrum of rider weights, and its decals are baked on, rather than stickers, this time around. There’s a firm switch too, handy for when you’d like some extra pedalling efficiency.

It’s then available in trunnion and regular eyelet mounts and in a very wide range of sizes.

RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate RC2T HBO – Performance

During my time with the RockShox shock, I paired it with the latest Lyrik Ultimate fork, and it’s a match made in heaven. The brand has done an excellent job of matching the shock’s performance with the fork’s, and when the construction is so vastly different, that’s no mean feat.

Much like the fork, the first thing that struck me about the shock was its suppleness. Thanks to the larger airspring, the Super Deluxe is super sensitive to small bumps. This makes for a superbly comfortable ride, as the shock capably absorbs low-level trail chatter, but in turn, it provides a serious and noticeable boost in rear wheel traction.

Not only does the shock result in more traction and more comfort, but because the shock is generally more active over the rough stuff, it rustles up increased control over the bike, owing to its ability to throw a layer of calm over the ride. That’s because it’s not hooking up over squarer, harsher hits. It’s simply absorbing them and recovering neatly for the next.

There’s impressively little breakaway force, or stiction in the shock, too. When I reviewed the Lyrik Ultimate, I spoke about how it remains super smooth after landing a drop into webs of roots. It’s the same story here, where the lack of stiction makes landing heavier hits cushy, but the shock’s ready to get to work, even after more travel-intensive compressions.

In fact, the shock is so supple that I would happily liken it to the small bump sensitivity and plushness of a coil shock but without the weight, and without the limits of its adjustability. However, the Super Deluxe still provides progression.

There are a bunch of things going on to aid the shock’s progression and balance it with the LinearXL air spring. But naturally, there’s good progression throughout the stroke, where it remains propped up when needed but available to use its travel when the going gets rowdy. So pressing into compressions like corners and rollers rewards with plenty of free speed, but the Super Deluxe doesn’t dole out all of its millimetres. That only happens when smashing through rough terrain.

But even then, thanks to the clever HBO tech, I’ve just not noticed when I’ve bottomed it out. And I know I have, as the sag o-ring isn’t on the shaft anymore.

As with most modern RockShox products, there’s a great range of adjustments to get stuck into here. But thankfully, it’s all marked out and super easy to read. Every click on every dial has a corresponding mark, so there’s absolutely no guesswork when it comes to figuring out where your rebound or compression is set. The sag markings are there on the shaft, too, making initial setup as straightforward as it can be.

I mentioned the rebound dial earlier, and while it’s physically small, the fact that it’s now a little knob marks a big improvement. Not only does the new knob make it easier to fettle with the rebound, but it also makes it easier to reach in a greater range of frames. The fact that it can be removed to twiddle other dials is just a very thoughtful bonus. The firm switch is also mega tactile and easy to flick from open to firm.

RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate RC2T HBO – Verdict

Priced at £650, the Super Deluxe Ultimate becomes rather compelling against the likes of the Fox Float X Factory, which’ll set you back £699. Although Fox’s option is a cracking shock, the Super Deluxe’s saving, and greater selection of adjustments alone make it well worth considering. But then throw in the plush but supportive performance, and RockShox’s offering is what I’d spend my money on.

But then there’s the Performance-level Float X, which gets most of the bells and whistles, but drops the Kashima coating, resulting in a friendlier price of £599. Still, it doesn’t get as much adjustability as the Super Deluxe, nor that plush ride feel.

Of course, there are cheaper options available, like Manitou’s Bomber Air at £549.99, but its non-indexed compression adjustment can become tricky to dial in, and it’s a notably more basic shock than what RockShox has produced.

However, the Super Deluxe is weightier than both of those options by around 250g.

If you’re looking for coil-level sensitivity with the progression of an air shock, RockShox’s Super Deluxe Ultimate RC2T with HBO is as close as it gets. It’s super supple off the top, but it retains a level of progression that keeps the bike’s rear end propped up and ready for the next hit. It may be a little pricier than some that aren’t as top-end, but I’ve become really impressed with the performance it provides.